Last weekend Mass Effect 3 players were tasked with completing 250,000 drone escort missions between them as part of Operation Vigilance, but Admiral Hackett has revealed that the operation was a complete failure.

The news came in an open letter from the Admiral which reads:

As mentioned in previous communications, we’ve seen a number of reports describing unusual enemy activity. Operation VIGILANCE was prompted by the latest in a string of unexpected attacks. I regret to inform you that the operation has failed.

Before our drones could complete their assignments, our troops were overrun by enemy forces. It is clear they knew what we were trying to do. Our troops were forced to salvage what they could before withdrawing from the battlefield. While we will put the salvaged materials to good use, we’ve learned very little about the initial attacks or how we might counter similar attacks in the future.

We will continue our investigation. I know that comes as little consolation to those involved. To you, all I can say is that you must stay alert and rely on your fellow soldiers. The Reapers have a plan. We must be ready for anything.

Luckily BioWare has decided not to punish players for their failure like it did after Operation Shieldwall, but it may have a few nasty surprises planned for the next event weekend to make up for it.

Did you take part in the event? Let us know in the comments below.

Matthew Bennett finally got his big break with EGM three years ago, following years of volunteer work for various sites. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Follow him on Twitter @mattyjb89. Meet the rest of the crew.